They are found in eucalyptus forests and are fussy eaters.
Koalas are not at present classified as endangered, however their numbers have been decreasing due to varying factors. They are primarily impacted by deforestation in Australia due to their choice in eucalyptus forests. Their diet of eucalyptus leaves is poisonous to most animals, hard to chew and digest. The koala is able to detox the leaves with their cecum, an organ to aid their digestive system. Sadly, not all eucalyptus tree species are the same and the Koala only eats less than 50 species of the 700+ species. They can consume approximately 1 kg of leaves per day and are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and feeding at night.
Approximately 80% of the koala habitat has been removed and due to this, they are subject to other threats including motor vehicles, dogs, and illness. One of the biggest threats is Chlamydia.
Huge populations suffer from Chlamydia. The effects are devastating, including blindness, infertility and an infection known as dirty tail. Koalas that do show signs of the illness are often suffering from stress due to loss of habitat, dog attacks, lack of food, etc. It is a different strain from the chlamydia that affects humans. Treatment is required through antibiotics but does not guarantee the survival of infected koalas.